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| March 2004 | |
Chamber Promotes City of BrocktonMarketing Pieces Ready for Democratic National Convention The Metro South Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the release of two new promotional pieces that will be used to market the City of Brockton as a destination for visitors and business travelers. The promotional pieces include a four color brochure and several advertisements that will run in the regional travel media. They were designed by Ellen Moore Design. These examples of cooperative advertising were produced in cooperation with Mayor Jack Yunits, the Brockton City Council, the Plymouth County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Plymouth County Commissioners. The brochure highlights Brockton's green spaces, historic sites, cultural and sporting venues, as well as local accommodations, and the city's many diverse dining opportunities. The full color advertisements will run in Yankee Travel Guide and the Plymouth County Vacation Guide. Future projects that will help spread the word about Brockton include welcome signs and additional cooperative advertisements. In addition, the Metro South Chamber's 2004 Book for Business has been published and will be distributed to members this week. The book features area dining, lodging, public golf courses, recreation, legislative leaders, community demographics, regional economic data and a complete membership listing. The book also includes a four-color map of the Metro South region highlighting hotels, golf courses, industrial parks, town halls and other points of interest. The 2004 book features an updated design and more member participation through advertising. For more information on these promotional pieces contact the Chamber at 508-586-0500 ext. 221.
Thank You Renewing Members
Alcoa Fastening Systems Our Chamber continues to grow stronger through referrals from our members. Please refer a member today. Call Frank Gillooly at 508-586-0500 ext. 229 or e-mail info@metrosouthchamber.com.
Good News Members are invited to send information for the Good News column to the Chamber office. On February 2, 2004, nearly 150 employees of the Brockton Credit Union gathered at the main office, 68 Legion Parkway in Brockton for the unveiling of the new Harbor One Sign. The name change of the credit union reflects its regional focus as it expands its market reach. In addition James W. Blake, president and CEO of HarborOne Credit Union, recently announced the election of Edward F. Kent, Sr. to Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Kent has served as a member of the board since 1983 and was elected Chairman on January 27, 2004. Prior to retiring from Mitek Surgical, Inc. a Johnson & Johnson company where he held the position of Vice President, Operations and Regulatory, Mr. Kent held management positions at Accumetrics, Beaver Surgical and Acufex Microsurgical. Established in 1917, Harbor One, the new name for Brockton Credit Union, has over $1 billion in assets and is the largest state-charted, community credit union in New England and one of the top 100 in the country. On May 19, 2004 the Slades Ferry Bank Center for Business Research at UMass Dartmouth welcomes the legendary F. Lee Bailey, one of the most notable and controversial figures in the field of criminal defense. Mr. Bailey is the keynote speaker at the Center's fourth annual "Excellence in Marketing" awards dinner, which will be held at the Venus de Milo in Swansea, Massachusetts. The Excellence in Marketing awards recognize southeastern Massachusetts businesses with distinctive and successful marketing programs, and provide scholarships to outstanding students in marketing at UMass Dartmouth. Over 400 people are expected to attend the awards dinner. Dinner tickets are $50 or a table of 10 for $500. For tickets and more information contact the university at 508-999-8511 or by e-mailing lkoczera@umassd.edu. Daniel P. DeVasto, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wolf & Company, P.C., Certified Public Accountants and Business Consultants, is pleased to announce continued expansion and have added the following to the Firm: Michael S. Condon joined Wolf's Assurance Services Group as staff auditor. He is a 2003 graduate of Salve Regina University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, and currently resides in Waltham. Cidalia A. Massih joined Wolf as a Tax Senior. She is a 2001 graduate of Stonehill College with a bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a minor in Computer Information Systems. Cidailia currently resides in Canton. Jonathan T. Perry joined Wolf as an Audit Senior. He is a 1999 graduate of Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, and currently resides in Jamaica Plain. Garrett W. Santi joined Wolf's Springfield office as part of the Audit staff. He is a 2001 graduate of Western New England College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a major in Accounting. Gareett currently resides in Springfield. And, effective February 23, 2004, Martyn J. Rees will join the Firm as an Internal Audit Senior. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from Leicester Polytechnic in Leicester, England. Martyn currently resides in Watertown. Wolf and Company, P.C. is a regional certified public accounting and business consulting firm. Ms. Molly Fannon Williams has been named Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Bridgewater State College. She began her position on February 1. Her duties will include overseeing the development and alumni offices as well as mounting a fundraising campaign to help address many of the goals of the college's strategic plan. Ms. Fannon Williams comes to Bridgewater from The Dane Group, a fundraising and development consulting firm, where she was a senior associate. Attitash/Bear Peak is offering a Chamber Ski Day on Sunday, March 21 for $35 and Monday, March 22 for $30. Included is a lift ticket and a Reggae BBQ. Also book slopeside lodging for only $89 (+ tax and grat.) Just call 1-800-223-SNOW and say you are booking the Reggae Daze promotion. Family and friends qualify for the deal as well. Chamber members should go to the group sales office that day, and bring a business card. There will be a festive atmosphere and live bands those two days. Dont miss this Reggae Event. Brockton Hospital announced that it has named Louis D. Gottlieb, M.D. Medical Director for managed care. As Medical Director, Gottlieb will be responsible for providing the hospital with medical expertise and guidance related to case management, developing and enhancing programs aimed at maintaining and improving quality, and building and maintaining relationships with managed care plans. Prior to joining Brockton Hospital, Gottlieb served as Medical Director at Danbury Hospital in Danbury Connecticut. Gottlieb earned his medical degree at the University of Bologna Medical School in Bologna, Italy and his undergraduate degree from Boston University. In addition, Brockton Hospital's Diabetes Self-Management Education Program has been awarded the American Diabetes Association's prestigious Education Recognition Certificate. The ADA recognition is awarded only to those facilities with the most knowledgeable staffs and can provide area patients who suffer from diabetes a comprehensive program to help understand, treat, and live with diabetes. The Children's Museum in Easton will kick off a year long celebration of the centennial of their building, the Old Fire Station, with a Red Hot Party-a 100th Birthday Gala and Silent Auction. This festive affair will be held at the elegant Martin Institute on Stonehill College Campus in Easton, MA on Saturday, March 6, 2004. Dress is fun, formal attire. Enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing, sizzling entertainment, and a silent auction with items ranging from funky to fabulous. Sponsor opportunities are also available. All funds raised that evening will benefit the exhibits and the educational programming of The Children's Museum and the preservation of this vital, historic building. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information or to reserve tickets call 508-230-3789. Bay Copy, the area's largest premier provider of digital document solutions, has been named to the Boston Business Journal's Book of Lists. Bay Copy was identified in the "Area's Largest Office Copier Dealers" list as the eighth largest supplier of office copier products, listing $5,000,000 in copier sales for 2002. Copiers carried by Bay Copy include Konica, Minolta, Sharp and Muratec. The announcement, which appeared in the October 24 edition of the Boston Business Journal comes on the heals of Bay Copy's selection as the National Winner for Business Technology Association's (BTA) "2003 Resellers of the Year" competition, in which Bay Copy was selected from more than 3000 entrants nationally. Bay copy employs 30 people from its Rockland location. Bay Copy was the first in the region to provide digital connectivity, establishing a department that helps clients network printer/copier systems and fax equipment. Jack Conway & Company, the Bay State's largest independent realty firm, recently purchased a 2,500 square foot building on Route 1 in North Attleborough, where it will open the company's 42nd sales office. Renovations are under way at the gambrel-roofed Colonial building on heavily traveled East Washington Street, with a grand opening planned for early spring. Jack Conway said the new location at 855 East Washington Street will allow the company to expand its reach in the region, building on existing offices on Route 106 in Mansfield and on Route 123 in Norton. Jack Conway & Co. was founded in Hingham in 1956 and is now in its 48th year of real estate service. The company owns Conway Financial Services, a large lender of home mortgages, which also will have a presence in the new location. Peter J. Dutcher, the Brockton area Edward Jones Investment representative, will host a free program, titled "Taking Stock of Your IRA, " at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, at 849 Belmont Street in Brockton. This one-hour televised event will address: why one should fund his or her Individual Retirement Account Early, the advantages of "blue chip" investments and strategies that may help one get the most from an IRA. This interactive event is presented at Edward Jones branch offices nationwide via the firm's private video network. To reserve a seat or for more information about the March 7 program, call Peter Dutcher at 508-580-2555. If you are unable to attend, additional viewing opportunities are available. Edward Jones, the only major financial-services firm advising individual investors exclusively, traces its roots to 1871 and currently serves more than 6 million clients. CareerWorks, Brockton and Metro South's One Stop Career Center, is happy to announce that Bruce Wright has joined the center as the Disability Program Navigator. CareerWorks is operated by the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute at the UMass Center at Brockton at 34 School Street and is chartered by the Brockton Area Workforce Investment Board. Bruce is an accomplished human resource practitioner who is transitioning his business and human resources experience to help address the employment needs of people with disabilities. The Disability Program Navigator is funded through federal and state grants as a demonstration program to serve as a resource coordinator through the one-stop career centers to assist people with disabilities with navigating the various programs/resources throughout the community.
2004 Award Nominations Now Being AcceptedTo recognize the achievements and contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs in the region, the Metro South Chamber of Commerce and Fleet Small Business Services invite you to participate in the selection process to name the 2004 Small Business of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year. Nominating someone is easy: You may nominate your own business or any other business you deem worthy (maximum of one nomination per category). Submit a summary of your reasons for the nomination, based on the criteria listed below. Call or fax the Chamber office for nomination forms. You may include any additional documentation that will help illustrate why the business is deserving of the award. Nominees do not need to be members of the Chamber. Nominees must be a for-profit business. Criteria: Employment/Staying Power. The Small Business of the Year nominee must have been in business for a minimum of three consecutive years under the current ownership, and have less than 50 full-time equivalent employees. The Entrepreneur of the Year nominee must have been in business less than three years, and have fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees. Growth. The nominee should demonstrate growth in employees, revenues, and profitability. Innovation. The firm should demonstrate creativity and imagination in the development of its business or in its product or service Social Responsibility. Nominees should reflect internal and external social responsibility, which may include one or more of the following points: strong, comprehensive employee relations programs; efforts by the company and its staff to aid or benefit the community through personal involvement and/or donations of other company resources; efforts to encourage diversity in its workforce and management; activity in the business community through involvement in industry or professional organizations; and development of other programs relating to social and community betterment. Nominations are due by Friday, March 12, 2004. Call the Chamber office at 508-586-0500 to request an easy-to-complete nomination form or visit the interactive link on our website at www.metrosouthchamber.com. Winners will be selected by the Chamber's Award Selection Committee and will be announced at a special Good Morning Metro South on May 19, 2004.
Chamber Bids Fond Farewell to Lisa KeeneThe Metro South Chamber bids a fond farewell to Lisa Keene. Lisa has been the Program Director at the Chamber for the past three years. She will be missed by the Chamber staff as well as many Chamber members. "We are saddened by Lisa's decision to leave. Lisa's intelligence, knowledge, skills, and loyalty have made a significant difference in the quality of Chamber event and programs. Chamber events are better attended than ever. We wish her the very best in all her future endeavors," said Christopher Cooney, president and CEO of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce. Keene leaves the Chamber Industry after 15 years to fulfill her other full time job, mother to her 2 year old daughter Allison.
Pre-Tax Health Premiums Save Small Businesses $$$As health and dental costs continue to escalate, employers have shifted the burden of these rising costs to their employees through higher premiums. Here's a way to help your employees re-coup some of these higher premiums. Under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code, an employee is allowed to pay their portion of the group health premiums with tax-free dollars through a Premium Only Plan. You can save your employees money by allowing them to pay for their health premiums on a Pre-Tax Basis. A section 125 cafeteria plan will allow your employees to save social security (FICA), federal and state taxes while immediately saving you, the employer, social security (FICA), federal unemployment taxes (FUTA), and worker's compensation taxes (where applicable). A Health and Dental Premium Only plan is a win-win situation for both the employer and the employees. Any employer can sponsor a Premium Only Plan for its employees, regardless of size. Eligible employers include corporations, partnerships, non-profit organizations, government entities, limited liability companies (LLC), and sole proprietorships. Businesses that are under a controlled group may also sponsor a single plan for all of their employees. In most cases principles, owners and Sole Proprietors with no employees cannot participate in these plans. Please check with your tax professional to be certain you are eligible to participate in this plan. For more information on the Cafeteria Health Plan call HSA at 1-877-777-4414 or log onto www.hsamembership.com.
Welcome New InvestorsThree new investors have recently joined the Chamber's winning team. They are joining you, the business professional, who has invested in your company and the Metro South economy through Chamber membership.
G & K Services
James Pond Technology
Rose & Thorn, Inc. To join the Chamber, call Frank Gillooly at 508-586-0500 ext. 229 or join online.
Firefighter Memorial Set for City HallThe Strand Theatre Firefighter Monument Fund is soliciting donations for a Firefighter memorial sculpture on City Hall Plaza All contributions will go to "The Strand Theater Firefighter Monument Fund, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation established to accept funds for the design, construction, installation and maintenance of a public monument honoring the thirteen City of Brockton firefighters who lost their lives in the 1941 Strand Theater fire". In 2002, the city commissioned Elliot Offner, the nationally renowned artist to design a monument for public display that would symbolize and convey the deep sense of tragedy and loss shared by entire nation. Mr. Offner's proposed design for a bronze statue of the grieving and exhausted, lone firefighter, surrounded by thirteen bronze helmets randomly scattered around him, evokes images of overwhelming loss, despair and sorrow, as if the firefighter cannot comprehend the enormity of his loss. The siting of the new bronze and granite monument will take place within the context of an exciting new master plan for the city hall plaza area located mere yards from the site of the original Strand Theater. The capital campaign -Their Courage Remains- invites the resources to enable the commissioning of the sculpture, fund its construction and installation, and create a permanent endowment to maintain and preserve the sculpture in perpetuity. These objectives require a fundraising goal of $500,000, an amount which will be sought in three to five year pledges from individuals, foundations, corporations and business donors. For more information or to make a donation call 508-587-0786.
Massasoit Offers PDA WorkshopMassasoit Community College in cooperation with Staples and Palm Inc. present a seminar designed to help those who have made the move and those who are contemplating the move to a Personal Digital Assistant. This hands on seminar will show how your business needs will drive technology purchases now and into the future. Participants will learn the most effective use of a PDA. The featured speakers is Gary Silverman, President of Clueless Computer, Inc. Gary has over 15 years of experience assisting people with issues surrounding personal computers. The PDA Workshop is scheduled for March 26, 2004. Registration and continental breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 8:00 a.m. and concluding at 9:30 a.m.. The workshop will take place at the Massasoit Conference Center in Brockton. The cost is $15 for $22 for non-members. Pre-registration is necessary. Please contact Irene Donoghue, Program Coordinator, Professional Development Center (PDC) at Massasoit at 508-588-9100 ext. 2013.
Management Networking Group at CareerWorksStory Submitted by Marni Dunton, CareerWorks CareerWorks, the Brockton area one-stop career center, has been reaching out to its management level job seekers in the form of a Buddy Group, to assist them with job search structure and an opportunity to network. The Buddy Group, which started back in the summer of 2003, provides an environment for networking and support management level job seekers. Since the group started, 8 participants have been successfully hired into management level positions or have started down a new career path. Currently, the Buddy Group has 6 participants that meet every Monday at 10:00 a.m. at CareerWorks. The current participants have various backgrounds including; Business Development, Project Management, Operations Management, Corporate Treasury, Finance Management and Information Technology Management. If you would like more information about the Buddy Group, or are interested in learning about its current participants, please contact Pamela Page at 508-513-3453.
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A Taste of Metro South Features Food and Fun for EveryoneMassasoit Conference Center - March 10, 2004 The Metro South Chamber of Commerce, Massachusetts Electric Company, The Enterprise, and WBET Radio 1460AM will present the 12th annual A Taste of Metro South on Wednesday, March 10, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., at the Massasoit Conference Center, located on Crescent Street, Route 27 in Brockton. Taste will feature samples from Bonnie's Breakfast, Brockton Blue's House/Mulligan's, Brockton Hospital, Cafe Bazza, Cameron's on the Green, Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center, Chili Head Barbeque Company, Christo's Restaurant, Claudia's Cafe/Catering by Claudia, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Costco Wholesale, Good Days Restaurant, Gourmet Cafe, Massasoit Conference Center, Montilio's Bakery, Old Colony Buffet, Reid's Steakhouse, Restaurant Luanda, Southeastern Regional High School, Starbuck's Coffee, The Town Line Cafe and Town Spa. Taste will host exhibits from Brockton High School Alumni Association, Brockton Hospital, Brockton Rox, Brockton Symphony Orchestra, Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center, The Charity Guild, The Children's Museum in Easton, The Enterprise, Massachusetts Electric Company, Metro South Chamber of Commerce, Old Colony Elderly Services, Old Colony Hospice, United Way of Greater Plymouth County, and WBET Radio 1460AM. Taste will also provide continuous live music and entertainment from Old Kids on the Block, juggler Peter Czymbor, Brockton High School Jazz Band, and the Fred Woodard Trio. Special appearances by: Ronnie Lippett, former New England Patriot, and Amanda Albanese, WZLX Radio's "Brockton Biscuit" and former New England Patriot Cheerleader. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. You may purchase your tickets at Shaw's Supermarkets in Brockton or at the Metro South Chamber of Commerce. To purchase tickets by telephone, or for additional information, call 508-586-0500, ext. 221.
March 2004
April 2004
May 2004
Note: All meetings are held at the Metro South Chamber office or Metro South Business Assistance Center (BAC) unless otherwise indicated.
New Jobs Forum Created to Link Employers and Jobseekerswww.metrosouthchamber.com/forum The Metro South Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the creation of its new on-line Jobs Forum where members can post available job openings and qualified job seekers can search for employment in the Metro South region. The Chamber recognizes that staffing has become one of our members most critical issues. When members are understaffed, they cannot capitalize on opportunities. To help them cope with their recruitment challenges, the Chamber has partnered with its website designer, Media Concepts, to create this new tool for recruiting qualified employees. This is a direct member benefit, a service offered to our members at no additional charge. How does it work? For job seekers, viewing available job postings is easy. Simply visit www.metrosouthchamber.com/forum and click on the Job Postings category. To view details of a job posting just click on the specific posting. Members who would like to submit a job posting must first register, at www.metrosouthchamber.com/forum, which takes just a couple of minutes and requires the creation of a password. Members can post unlimited number of job listings and edit existing job postings once they have registered. Members can also submit their job listings directly to the Chamber via fax, mail, or e-mail and we will post it on the Jobs Forum for you. Prospective employees can view your job listings anywhere there is Internet access. In addition, the Chamber has established a workforce resources webpage with employment information, best practices, and other useful resources to assist members with their workforce and training needs. Members can access the site at www.metrosouthchamber.com/htr.html. For more information on the Jobs Forum or the Workforce Resources Page please contact Roy Nascimento at (508) 586-0500 ext. 225.
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